Two years and a week after former Marquette University standout Jerel McNeal was last on an NBA regular-season roster, the 25-year-old guard will once again get a shot at the highest level, having been signed by the Utah Jazz to a 10-day contract.
McNeal spent the 2012-13 preseason with the Toronto Raptors but was cut prior to the season. The Chicago native then spent the rest of the year with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA D-League, where he averaged 18.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 44 games. He was a D-League All-Star selection this season, his second such honor after being selected in 2011.
His last NBA stint was with the New Orleans Hornets in March 2011, when he failed to see the court in his 10 days with the club.
McNeal is Marquette's all-time leading scorer, having finished his four-year career in Milwaukee with 1,985 points. He also ranks first in Marquette history with 287 steals and 130 games played.
The Jazz announced McNeal will wear No. 23, coincidentally the number worn by former Marquette teammate Wesley Matthews during his time with Utah.
